When to buy tickets to Hawaii is always interesting, and once again it’s largely about rapidly changing supply and demand combined with competition in 2022. Read on for some very good cost-saving news for peak travel to Hawaii.
In a word, Hawaii ticket prices are going up in parallel with renewed demand. Airlines see this as a golden opportunity to add Hawaii flights and even additional wide-body services. With international travel still somewhat questionable for a multitude of reasons, Hawaii is still looking exotic yet safe, and highly desirable.
Prices are dynamic, according to Hawaiian’s CEO.
In a recent interview, Hawaiian Airlines‘ CEO, Peter Ingram said that “prices are changing every day in the marketplace. And typically it’s driven by the supply and demand of air seats that dictates what pricing is applicable at any moment in time and in the market. That’s going to be a dynamic situation over the next couple of months. And it’ll be– of course, we don’t know right now how high these prices are going to be for jet fuel and how long they’re going to be up there.”
When to Buy Cheap Flights to Hawaii in 2022–2023
Spring 2022 low season travel (now through June 9, 2022). Prices are dependent on the fast-changing market and competition but are higher than we expected this year as supply and demand still work to stabilize. The cost of jet fuel is exacerbating uncertainty about pricing. Expect to pay from $119 and up from many west coast gateways. Maui and Honolulu are generally the cheapest Hawaii destinations, with the Big Island and Kauai being slightly to somewhat higher. Tip: Fewer than normal sales are expected this spring. Buy now.
Summer 2022 high season travel (June 10 through August 13, 2022). Still some very pleasant surprises for this summer since more flights will be operating. It’s generally best to buy tickets far in advance, especially for around July 4. Prices for peak summer travel are typically 50% or more higher than right before or after peak season. Travel starting early August will see a softening in prices. Tip: Southern California, Northern California, and the Paicfic Northwest all have some significantly lower prices for summer. Look for roundtrip airfares from mid $300’s to $500. Airlines hope to see a fast return to the regular $700+ RT summer price range. So do buy now.
Fall 2020 low season travel (August 14 through December 15, 2022, except over Thanksgiving). Fall airfares should remain competitively priced, and availability is always good at this time of year. That makes the fall season an optimal time to travel to Hawaii, which will be true again in 2022. Tip: Watch for sales to buy best-priced Hawaii airfares starting from $99-$119 each way from select west coast gateways.
Christmas/New Year high season holiday travel (December 16, 2022, through January 3, 2023). No sales are expected – but there’s some limited good news below. Keep in mind that you are going to pay a premium for Christmas this year and every year. Those who come to Hawaii during the holidays tend to purchase far in advance to avoid disappointment and get their prime picks. Remember that accommodations and cars are very challenging during the holidays, and, as with all flights, must be planned far in advance so as not to encounter availability problems. Tip: A few deals are still to be had, like LAX to HNL/OGG in the low $400’s RT. Overall, however, most flights are returning to near the regular $700+ RT range. Buy now if you find any deals.
Winter 2023 low season travel (January 4 through mid-March 2022). The outlook for next winter is hard to predict. There will be strong competition, as well as strong demand. There will still be some winter 2022 to spring 2023 airfare sales without a doubt. Winter has been an expensive time of year to visit Hawaii. Tip: In the last few years, winter prices have become more moderate, which may again be the case. Buy on sale pricing, starting mid-summer.
Spring break 2023 high season travel (mid-March to early April 2022). Pricing for spring break should return to normal ($600+ roundtrip). In general, buy tickets as far in advance as possible due to a lack of deals and limited availability. Tip: Prices are typically 50% higher at that time than either right before or after spring break.
At Beat of Hawaii, we have our fishing net out to catch Hawaii vacation deals for you. Subscribe to our free updates to get them first. Stay tuned and then act quickly when sales are announced.
Updated 3/28/22.
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Rob F says
Flying RT LAX to OGG on Nov 1. Would like to fry first class for special occasion. When’s best time for purchase? Will FC prices come down? Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rob.
Starting at about $1,282 RT on United, which is a great price for current conditions. If anything, we expect it might go up rather than down.
Aloha.
Tyler H says
Planning to fly from Phx-OGG from Nov 12-19th. Would you recommend buying something sooner rather than later? We are open to all options and whatever is the best route.
Southwest does not allow me to see that far in advance so I was curious if you think it would be smart to wait and see what prices might look like for that airline.
Anabel says
Hello, traveling to Oahu first week of December from Northern California. When is the best time to book a flight? I’ve been looking but the prices are still high.
lisa s says
aloha,
thank you for the helpful information for new hawaiian travelers.
do you have any specific advice/tips for michigan travelers trying to save costs flying out of dtw to ogg or oahu or kona?
thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lisa.
April, May, and September until early December start at $495 to Maui with fast 1-stop connections on multiple airlines. That’s a great price. Other islands somewhat more but some availability under $600.
Aloha.
Lisa S says
Thank you. So, for example, we would fly to say LAX and from there take Hawaiian airlines direct to one of the islands? Because DTW does t have Hawaiian airlines.
Would you book as 2 separate tickets or is there a way to do together?
Thank you for your help.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lisa.
These are tickets from DTW to Maui. Not separate tickets. And that won’t be on Hawaiian. Try using an OTA like Priceline or Expedia to find flights and then consider going directly to purchase from the airline that has the best times and dates for you.
Aloha.
Nancy D says
Flights are really cheap. But Hl hotels etc Al are price gouging
Dot S. says
I really envy the folks on the West Coast flying to Hawaii. Airlines really compete for your business. Travel from the East Coast is harder to find deals. A friend suggested traveling to LA to take advantage of cheap fares from there. Problem is getting to LA from the East wipes out any advantage, plus you need to collect your luggage and recheck your bags, TSA, etc. Hawaiian Air once talked about leaving out of Philly, but that just fizzled away. Disappointing.
Cindy says
We have had the same issues trying to find flights from Virginia. We recently found flights out of Norfolk for $607 on United. That is for mid September and 45 minutes from our house. We flew out of DC and JFK for our other trips. Happy to find a decent price closer to home.
Sylvia C says
Hi I’m interested in a Hawaii cruise leaving out of Honolulu. When would be the cheapest time to fly to Honolulu leaving from Newark NJ? I was interred in anywhere from March through May 2022.
MA says
We are looking to fly from SLC to LIH round trip April 23rd, return flight April 30th, 2 adults. Should we book now or wait until closer to departure date?
Beth C. says
Check the flights and see how many available seats there are. I always book far ahead after I have followed the prices.
Kevin V says
Aloha,
Great article you have here and very informative.
I am looking to travel to HNL from SJC around the week of April 11 to April 18, 2022 timeframe. When do you think is the best time to purchase flights? Currently, cheapest I found is around $450 on Southwest and about $550 for other airlines.
Thank you for your help!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kevin.
Your dates are at the end of spring break. It could still work out to see deals in the $100-$150 range. If that happens, it may take somewhat longer, guessing maybe early next year, for the airlines to see clearly what the spring break dates and demand will be. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
JM says
Hello, thank you for a great article. My family is looking to fly from Edmonton to Maui for our spring break which is March 26 to April 3rd 2022. Right now it’s about $3000 for all three of us to fly. Do you think this price will drop at all? Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi JM.
Thanks. Air Canada $659 RT for your dates with 1-stop and good connection. It does not seem like it will go lower.
Aloha.
Kathy R says
Hi! Happy I found you. I booked a trip from Philadelphia to Maui back in February 2020. Travel dates being Dec27-Jan6. We need to reschedule the trip to May23-June2.
I have approval from AA to extend the travel window since the tickets expired in a year from booking. (Need knee surgery). The fares are very similar to the May-June dates as they were for Dec-Jan. When should I rebook?
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kathy.
Thanks. You can expect to pay from $600 for your dates. Currently it starts at $696 which isn’t bad. If it goes lower for your dates, that drop could occur say 3 months beforehand. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Kathy R says
Thank you! If you don’t mind, one more question?! Should I be concerned about full flights by then?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kathy.
Yes, you should be expecting full flights.
Aloha.
Jeff says
Hi! Hoping to travel from Ohio (cmh) to Maui for spring break in mid March. Flights are around $900-1000 right now, depending on exact day/time. I read a different site that said prices sometimes drop around 120 days out. Should i wait a few more weeks to see if i can save some money, or buy now to make sure they don’t creep up further?
Francois T says
Hi,
Travelling from Montreal to Honolulu in the first week of March 2022 (4 PAX).
Current fare is CAD$800RT/PAX. United (through SFO) on the way and Air Canada (direct) for the return.
Do you think the fare will come down between now and the trip? It was CAD$1100 2 weeks ago.
Thanks.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Francois.
It looks like the best price now is US$538 nonstop on Air Canada, which is an excellent price. Not likely to get any better. Would highly suggest that. Multi-stop fares aren’t any better.
Aloha.
Neila says
Planning on a round trip from Denver to Lihue, but returning from Honolulu to Denver. 3 Adults 1 child in June of 2022. When do your recommend we purchase the tickets? Does Black Friday or Cyber Monday bring any flight deals?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Neila.
No, those sales won’t include your dates. If you’re after June 10, it will be high season, and likely prices will be quite high. Probably best to buy now. If you’ll be back to Denver by June 10, then wait until after the first of the year, when sales for those dates might start.
Aloha.
Patty M says
Aloha! We are planning on flying non-stop from Chicago Ohare to Maui on United, 1/13-22/2022. We have flown this route 3x and know what the prices have been. Prices are $955 at that time do you think they will go down? I am temped to grab them now. Appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you,
Patty
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Patty.
It doesn’t look good for it to go down. The issue is your return day. The same flight a day earlier or later will save you about $130.
Aloha.
Amy D says
Aloha! I’m planning a trip with my 4 adult kids next July (2022)
Looking into united air nonstop from EWR to HNL. What in your expert opinion is the best time to buy airfare?
Thanks so much!
Amy
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Amy.
It would probably be best to buy it all the way out at 330 days. That is going to be expensive and won’t go down by waiting. It’s a few weeks too early to know, but prices would appear to be $1,200+ RT.
Aloha.
Amy D. says
Thanks for the advice I’m so excited already!!
Amy
Ashly G says
We’re leaving from CLT to HNL 5/25/22 and returning 6/4 (maybe 6/3). Prices with Delta First class are around $2200 for the planes with laydown seats. Is this typical or should I wait to purchase?
Ritz says
Planning to travel on the second week of Feb 2022 to Honolulu. Right now the price starts at
$800 from Toronto, Canada. Do you think the price will go down in August or September. Thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ritz.
Are you planning on the nonstop? We see it priced at $648 RT for that period. That probably won’t go down. You might pay about $100 less for one-stop. That’s actually quite a good price so if it works, perhaps grab it now.
Aloha.
Ritzen says
Yes, non-stop. Thank you so much.
Jae R says
I’ve booked a trip to Honolulu for May 12-23. Right now a first class round trip from DFW international is running between $1,700-2,000+. Should I go ahead and pull the trigger on the tickets or could the prices for this time frame come down a bit around the end of this year/top of next year?